The inquiry into the circumstances that led to the shooting of the police constable and one civilian has now become a murder investigation.
by Khaila Gentle
BELIZE CITY, Mon. Oct. 17, 2022
PC Lorray Arzu succumbed to her injuries after four days on life support. Arzu, who was shot in the head during an incident in the New Site area of Dangriga on Wednesday, passed away around 10:30 on Sunday morning while in the Intensive Care Unit of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. She had undergone brain surgery on the night she was admitted into the hospital but remained in a critical condition up until the time of her passing.
Police Communications Director, ASP Fitzroy Yearwood, on Monday extended his heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of PC Arzu.
“Our colleagues have been trying their best to put together the circumstances surrounding her death,” he said.
The shooting incident that eventually claimed the life of the 27-year-old police constable allegedly took place after an argument between two men, one of whom was 44-year-old Leonel Rowland, who was with Arzu at the time. Arzu and Rowland were sitting in a truck near Arzu’s home on Bishop Martin Street when an unknown gunman opened fire. Rowland, who was also injured during the shooting, received three gunshot wounds.
Last week, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams pointed out that, by all indications, Rowland had been the gunman’s target and that there had reportedly been an exchange of words between the two men. He did note, however, that Rowland disputed having had any altercation with the suspect.
Rowland, at the time of the writing of this article, is still hospitalized in a stable condition. Police are waiting for him to be cleared by doctors so that they can question him further. According to ASP Yearwood, the police have since received numerous pieces of information in relation to what may have transpired during that incident and continue to investigate.
A statement from the Belize Police Department on the passing of PC Arzu reads, “You have left us suddenly sister, but your dedication to the Government of Belize, the Belize Police Department, and the people of Belize will never be forgotten. Sleep on Lorray, until we meet again. R.I.P.”